TV5 steals the thunder

In the race for an early launch, TV5 might be the first past the post. After having all clearances in place, the channel has launched its ad campaign. The buzz has created some excitement and people are coming out of the woodwork. Kandula Ramesh and Kranti, to name a couple. Kandula, the job hopper who has experience across the media spectrum, (Eenadu, DC, Suprabhatam, Teja, Lycos,.. the list goes on...!) is back in action at TV5. We remember he did not work magic when with a channel the last time, at Teja. Let's see if Kandula, a close associate of IS, does wonders this time around. Kranti, who quit TV9 to foray into politics is back to media. He made a mark when at TV9 and will not take long to hit his peak. Bhaskar from Delhi might return to city to join the channel. So it's interesting to see who would outperform between TV5 and NTV. Last heard, NTV has recruited 44 editorial staff and is set to start training classes for the newcomers.

Meanwhile, Karim officially put in his papers at TV9 on Wednesday. The guy is in troubles up to his neck, say friends at TV9. Colourful "stories" are doing the rounds about his real estate misadventure and of course other escapades. One of the two new channels might consider him, after all a "known face" would be a safe bet for a new entrant. Will his personal life mar his professional prospects? Might. Rajinikant who stepped in Karim's shoes at TV9 might continue the 7pm bulletin or might be relieved. Aalapati Suresh might be a dark horse. Let's wait and watch.

Attack on Media: The biggie is making big noise about media coming under attack. You and I think he's crying wolf! After all, look who's taking the brunt of the attack -- the small fries and the footsoldiers. One Editor is arrested in Karnataka. Let's see if Rams and Duas care to stand by such country cousins. The Hindu has this report on the incident. Pls check. (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2007/03/06/stories/2007030607220300.htm)

Andhra Prabha carried an article by, who else, the grand old man of Telugu Journalism Dr ABK. A must Read. http://www.andhraprabha.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=APV20070307060719&Title=Articles&lTitle=%AAy%F9ry%CC%C1V&Topic=0

We will soon take a serious look at the attacks on mediamen and where and how things are going wrong.

Travails of talent:

Talent can be your best friend and your worst enemy. Mostly, depends on who the boss is.

On a sultry evening, we met this guy sitting alone in a bar frequented by desperate newshounds like us. We soon identified this bloke as the one who used to work with a national daily where he was appreciated by some and despised by others for the same reason!! He writes well.

We could see this guy was glum and low. Job blues? We contacted our "moles" and probed. It took some time for us to get into the details, but our insiders nudged along to get into the bottom.
And alas! The story we got from inside the House next to graves was quite creepy. The man, who we thought was on a torpor, was in fact working for a daily in the neighbouring state, bringing out an edition and writing articles in the edit page columns.
An ex HT editor and now the national head of all their metro supplements was impressed by this guy's pellucid and impressive way of writing and took him into the House and offered him an independent position. But, it never gave him chance to use his creativity. Still, we hear the chap enjoyed that as he was not under the infamous metro editor from the House.
A fair skinned lady (single and bold!) who had targets to meet, tried her best to torture him when she was unable to perform well. Bigwigs joined hands with the fair sex, spent their evenings together in places where our P3P took notice and nattered around.
Then came the news of the closing down of the particular department where this wrecked soul was working, out of the blue.
The lady editor of the supplement was fast enough to act. Though in all the other centres people are waiting to get fresh letter from the company, this woman, say insiders, already started making him writhe with insult engaging juniors to dictate terms.
We hear that people who know his potential are out with offers and this guy is seriously planning to quit! Here's wishing you luck buddy... Get out of the Ghost House and you will surely go places.